Coordinated exploration program for geothermal sources on the island of Hawaii
Staff members of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics carried out an exploration program for geothermal sources on the island of Hawaii by using all relevant geophysical and geochemical methods. Infrared scanning aerial surveys followed by reconnaissance-type electrical surveys and ground noise surveys narrowed down the promising area to the east rift of Kilauea. The surveys carried out over the east rift included magnetic, gravity, and electrical surveys by various methods: microearthquake, surveillance, temperature profiling of wells, and chemical analysis of water samples. Aeromagnetic, regional gravity, and crustal seismic refraction data were available in published literature. A model of the thermal structure of the east rift was put together to account for the data. The dike complex, through which magma from the central vent of Kilauea travels laterally occupies a zone 3-km wide extending from 1-km to 5-km depth. On the south side of the dike complex, there may be a self-sealing geothermal reservoir where groundwater heated by the dike complex is trapped. Not all of the dike complex is hot; hot sections seem to occur in patches.
- Research Organization:
- Hawaii Univ., Honolulu (USA). Hawaii Inst. of Geophysics
- OSTI ID:
- 6145959
- Report Number(s):
- NP-23807
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Hawaii geothermal resource assessment: 1982
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Related Subjects
150300* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology
EARTHQUAKES
EXPLORATION
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
GRAVITY SURVEYS
Geothermal Legacy
HAWAII
INFRARED SURVEYS
MAGNETIC SURVEYS
MICROEARTHQUAKES
NORTH AMERICA
RIFT ZONES
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
TEMPERATURE LOGGING
USA
WELL LOGGING
WELLS
WESTERN REGION